Home Blog Page 92

New Report on Richmond USPS Regional Processing and Distribution Center Highlights Lack of Attention to Detail, Poor Synchronization Between Processing Machines & Delivery Trucks, Workforce Shortages, Inadequate Communication at USPS

By
Blue Virginia
-
3

From Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)’s office:

Spanberger, Virginia Lawmakers Issue Statement on New Report on Richmond USPS Regional Processing and Distribution Center

The New Report Highlights Lack of Attention to Detail, Poor Synchronization Between Processing Machines & Delivery Trucks, Workforce Shortages, Inadequate Communication at USPS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger and a bipartisan group of Virginia congressional lawmakers today released a statement in response to the new audit report from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) on the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC) in Sandston, Virginia. The USPS OIG audited the RPDC, because the center is one of the first consolidated processing centers in the country that was opened to centralize outgoing mail and package processing.

“It couldn’t be clearer that USPS has not been providing reliable service to Virginians, and we’ve been pressing for answers. This report pinpoints a number of issues, including a lack of coordination between USPS and staff at the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center,” said Spanberger and her colleagues.

They continued, “Going forward, USPS must provide more resources and clearer guidance to management and staff at RPDC, among other steps. We look forward to working with USPS to ensure that happens, the recommendations in the IG report are implemented, and mail delivery is timely for Virginians.”

The report highlighted various issues on the local, regional, and national levels that have impacted service in Virginia — including an egregious lack of attention to detail, pieces of mail falling off conveyor belts and being lost, poor synchronization between machines processing mail at the facility and the schedules of trucks transporting mail to and from the facility, and broader questions about whether the RPDC model is generating the cost savings and efficiency improvements this model has promised. Workforce shortages — including reducing the number of contracted drivers to operate delivery trucks when the in-house workforce was insufficient — have further strained USPS staff and increased overtime costs. Meanwhile, internal communication among headquarters, regional, and on-site local staff has been inadequate. Additionally, the report made 10 distinct recommendations for USPS to address service delays.

In addition to Spanberger, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Bob Good (R-VA-05), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02).

Click here for the full audit report.

Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division Denounces Governor Youngkin’s Challenge to Academic Freedom  

By
Blue Virginia
-
2

From the Virginia NAACP:

Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division Denounces Governor Youngkin’s Challenge to Academic Freedom

RICHMOND, VA – NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) Youth & College Division unequivocally denounces Governor Youngkin’s recent demand to review the syllabi for Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Racial Literacy Requirement courses. This action is not isolated, as the Youngkin administration has similarly targeted educational initiatives promoting racial awareness at other institutions, such as George Mason University. These demands represent a troubling overreach into academic freedom and a targeted attack on courses aimed at promoting racial tolerance and literacy.

The Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division is calling on Governor Youngkin to respect the autonomy of educational institutions that foster environments conducive to learning and growth by discontinuing his required review of classes designed to analyze systemic and structural racism. VCU’s Racial Literacy Requirement plays a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and address issues of race and discrimination in today’s world.

“We believe that Governor Youngkin’s insistence on scrutinizing syllabi for courses designed to educate students about racial issues is not only unnecessary but also threatens to undermine progress toward fostering an inclusive and understanding society”, states Ty’Leik Chambers, President of Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division. “We are unaware of any efforts by our governor to review course syllabi that do not have a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) emphasis. Like Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore, our Y&CD is acutely aware of how “DEI” has been weaponized to dismantle diversity efforts by nefariously discrediting their purpose and power. We call upon all supporters of racial justice and academic freedom to join us in defending the integrity of programs like the Racial Literacy Requirement at VCU.”

The Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division stands in full solidarity with VCU’s students and faculty in resisting any attempts to censor or dismantle initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We firmly believe that education should empower individuals to confront and challenge systemic injustices rather than suppress discussions on vital topics such as racial literacy.

The Virginia NAACP Youth & College Division will continue to advocate for racial justice in higher education.

– ### –

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

Biden Campaign Co-Chair on Trump’s Racist Project 2025

By
Blue Virginia
-
3

From President Biden’s reelection campaign:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024

Biden Campaign Co-Chair on Trump’s Racist Project 2025

Today, new reporting detailed the latest policy plank of Trump’s extreme Project 2025 Agenda: formalizing white supremacy into an official part of his governing platform.

Today’s report revealed Trump’s plans to retool parts of the executive branch dedicated to fighting racism to instead benefit white Americans and gut programs devoted to addressing centuries of discrimination against Black and brown Americans.

Axios: Exclusive: Trump allies plot anti-racism protections — for white people

  • If Donald Trump returns to the White House, close allies want to dramatically change the government’s interpretation of Civil Rights-era laws to focus on ‘anti-white racism’ rather than discrimination against people of color.
  • Why it matters: Trump’s Justice Department would push to eliminate or upend programs in government and corporate America that are designed to counter racism that has favored whites.
  • Targets would range from decades-old policies aimed at giving minorities economic opportunities, to more recent programs that began in response to the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd.

Biden Harris 2024 Campaign Co-Chair Cedric Richmond issued the following statement:

“It’s not like Donald Trump has been hiding his racism: he spent years discriminating against Black and Latino Americans as a landlord, he began his political career spreading the racist conspiracy that President Obama wasn’t born in this country, and he actively promoted white supremacy from the Oval Office – from saying there were ‘very fine people on both sides’ of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville to telling the Proud Boys to ‘stand back and stand by.’

“Trump couldn’t care less about Black and brown communities – he never has. Now he’s making it clear that if he wins in November, he’ll turn his racist record into official government policy, gutting programs that give communities of color economic opportunities and making the lives of Black and brown folks harder. Already, his Project 2025 allies have blocked billions of dollars in support for women and minority-owned businesses, and if he wins a second term they’ll take their divisive agenda even further. It’s up to us to stop him.”

###

Paid for by Biden for President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024

Trump’s Project 2025: IVF is Next on The Chopping Block

This morning, Politico reports that Trump’s Project 2025 allies are scheming to “re-run the Roe playbook” on IVF access.

The choice this November is simple: President Joe Biden will protect IVF access, while Donald Trump will allow his extremist allies to rip it away.

For those keeping track:

  • Trump appointed three anti-abortion Supreme Court justices.
  • Those justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • Trump’s MAGA Republican allies in states then banned abortion.
  • Now, MAGA Republicans would rip away access for women seeking the IVF care they need to start or grow their families – Trump’s most staunch backers in Congress just released a budget that bans abortion and threatens access to IVF treatments
  • Donald Trump has deep ties to the anti-IVF movement
  • Donald Trump still has failed to support national IVF protections

Donald Trump supports a national abortion ban, and doesn’t support national IVF protections. He supports states banning abortion. He surrounded himself with those who would ban abortion and restrict IVF.

It’s all quite clear!

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.

Check out Politico’s report here:

Politico: Republicans are rushing to defend IVF. The anti-abortion movement hopes to change their minds

[Megan Messerly, Alice Miranda Ollstein, 4/1/24]

The groups are not advocating banning IVF but want new restrictions that would significantly curtail access to the procedure.

  • Anti-abortion advocates worked for five decades to topple Roe v. Wade. They’re now laying the groundwork for a yearslong fight to curb in vitro fertilization.
  • Since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos are children, the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups have been strategizing how to convince not just GOP officials but evangelicals broadly that they should have serious moral concerns about fertility treatments like IVF and that access to them should be curtailed.
  • In short, they want to re-run the Roe playbook.
  • They plan to appeal to evangelical denominations and their leaders to take a firm stance that IVF as practiced in the U.S. destroys human life. That, they hope, will reshape how conservative Christians — and in turn, the officials they elect — view the issue, just as it did on abortion. Ultimately, it could lead to laws that create a patchwork of IVF access in the United States, where the procedure is more accessible in liberal states and more limited in conservative ones.
  • “We’re at a junction where we could see a similar generational shift — where people begin to consider reproductive technologies not as a separate but as a part of their cohesive pro-life framework,” said Emma Waters, a senior research associate at the Heritage Foundation. “Many of these pro-life Republicans are going to have to think more deeply about what it means to be pro-life.”
  • Organizations including Heritage, former Vice President Mike Pence’s group Advancing American Freedom, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s public advocacy-focused Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission have worked behind the scenes over the last few weeks to distribute talking points, circulate policy recommendations and educate Republican officials and their staff about their ethical concerns with how IVF is commonly practiced in the United States.
  • Those pushing to restrict IVF hope the groundwork the anti-abortion movement laid over the last 50 years will make it easier to persuade evangelicals to support these policies, and they’re recycling some of the messaging, including linking certain IVF practices with eugenics and calling the fertility industry “dangerous” and “unregulated.”
  • “This is not just about educating people on Capitol Hill. It’s about even educating our own members who don’t have well-formed views on this topic,” said Hannah Daniel, director of public policy at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “It took a really long time to get to where we are now, and it’s going to require persistent work both on the legislation front but also informing the hearts and minds of Americans on this topic to truly see life as valuable regardless of that person’s ability, regardless of their stage of development, regardless of their gender.”
  • Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and other anti-abortion groups have attacked those measures as taking an “anything goes approach” that “leaves no room for reasonable laws” that restrict the discarding of embryos.
  • “We can’t offer a get-out-of-regulation free card to the IVF industry,” said Kristi Hawkins, the head of federal policy for Students for Life of America, which will score a vote on the pro-IVF measures the way they score abortion-related bills. Other anti-abortion groups are already attacking GOP lawmakers who voted for IVF protections with language and imagery they have long used to attack Democrats on abortion.
  • There are early signs that their message is getting through to some Republicans. The Republican Study Committee — a group comprising the majority of House GOP members — released a budget that includes language advocating for protections “at all stages of life,” with no carveout for embryos fertilized through IVF.
  • Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) last week spearheaded a letter signed by three of his GOP colleagues to the Department of Veterans Affairs calling IVF “morally dubious” and saying that current IVF practice results in embryos being “abandoned, or cruelly discarded.” And Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution that praises IVF but also calls for “state legislative and regulatory actions to establish health, safety, and ethical standards for medical facilities offering assisted reproductive technologies.”

###

Paid for by Biden for President

Kaine Campaign Launches “Standing Up For Virginia” Tour To Highlight How He’s Delivered For Every Corner Of The Commonwealth

By
Blue Virginia
-
3

From Sen. Tim Kaine’s reelection campaign:

Kaine Campaign Launches “Standing Up For Virginia” Tour To Highlight How He’s Delivered For Every Corner Of The Commonwealth

Richmond, VA — Tomorrow, the Kaine for Virginia campaign will launch the “Standing Up For Virginia” Tour to highlight the work Sen. Kaine has done to help Virginians in every corner of the Commonwealth.

From delivering on key projects like the Silver Line, the Coalfields Expressway, the spaceport on Wallops Island, the Port of Virginia, the Virginia Tech/Carillion Medical Research Campus, and the Richmond/Petersburg Tech Hub to lowering costs for prescription drugs, Senator Kaine stands up for Virginia. In the Senate, he has been a deciding vote to save the Affordable Care Act, reduce the cost of insulin to $35 per month, save the pensions of millions of workers, pass a child tax credit that dramatically reduced child poverty, and accelerate American leadership in clean energy. He fights for our troops and their families and works to push back against Republican efforts to deprive Americans of reproductive freedom and voting rights.

“I’m proud of my record of standing up for good jobs, fair treatment of all, lower health and education costs, and reproductive freedom,” said Tim Kaine.  “I’ve been proud to work together representing everyday Virginians for nearly 30 years and excited to seek your vote to continue serving my Commonwealth and country. The ‘Standing up for Virginia Tour’ is about standing up and standing together to continue our progress against those who would tear us down or tear us apart.”

The tour will start in Richmond and make stops in Staunton, Roanoke, Wytheville, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Leesburg, Alexandria, Woodbridge, Dumfries, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Newport News.

Monday News: “Election of Donald Trump ‘could put world’s climate goals at risk’”; “Johnson sounds out key Republicans with speakership and Ukraine aid on line”; JFK’s Grandson Slams RFK Jr.; “Trump allies plot anti-racism protections — for white people”

By
lowkell
-
21

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, politicial and otherwise, for Monday, April 1.

When Your Personal Injury Attorney Isn’t the Right Fit: Time for a Change

By
Blue Virginia
-
20

SPONSORED CONTENT

When Your Personal Injury Attorney Isn’t the Right Fit: Time for a Change

“A personal injury attorney is your advocate, fighting for your right to compensation after an injury caused by another’s negligence,” says injury attorney Robert James. Their role is to represent your legal interests and align the trajectory of the case with your expectations. This legal journey can span months or even years, so establishing a strong, trusting attorney-client relationship is paramount.

Despite your best efforts in hiring—thorough interviews, reading reviews, and trusting your instincts—you might feel a disconnect as the case progresses. Sometimes, relationships that begin with promise may not unfold as hoped. This blog delves into the compelling reasons you might consider switching attorneys during the course of a personal injury case.

Reasons to Consider Changing Your Personal Injury Attorney

  • Lack of Transparency About Your Case’s Details

Law can be a labyrinth for the uninitiated, especially when navigating a personal injury lawsuit for the first time. From understanding the statute of limitations to managing legal deadlines and paperwork, there’s a steep learning curve. You rely on your attorney to demystify these complexities. It might be time to seek a more transparent advocate if they’re evasive or unclear.

  • They’re Unreachable

Consistent communication is the foundation of the attorney-client relationship. While expecting your attorney to be available around the clock may be unrealistic, prolonged periods of silence are inexcusable. If your attorney leaves you in the dark for weeks, you might benefit from an advocate more committed to open communication.

  • Disagreements About Case Direction

While your attorney drives the strategic aspect of your case, it’s crucial to remember that they require your input. Think of your relationship as a partnership: you both have roles to play. If you consistently find yourself at odds with your attorney’s decisions, it might be time to team up with someone more attuned to your perspective.

  • The Relationship Isn’t Meshing

Much like any other relationship, the dynamics between you and your attorney should feel right. If, for any reason, the rapport isn’t there—even if your attorney is technically competent—it may be worthwhile to seek out a professional with whom you can connect more comfortably.

  • Premature Push to Settle

Some attorneys may rush to settle your case. Their motivations vary, from wanting to move on to other cases to believing that’s the best route. However, an early settlement can sometimes mean leaving money on the table. If you feel your attorney is rushing the process and it’s not in your best interest, you might want to explore other legal representation.

Always remember: it’s essential to have an attorney who understands the legal terrain and genuinely considers your concerns and priorities.

Conclusion

The rapport you establish with your personal injury attorney is pivotal to your case’s outcome. Both of you should be in sync regarding your rights, the case’s trajectory, and the timing of settlements. Furthermore, accessibility is non-negotiable.

With over 1.3 million attorneys in the United States, you certainly have options. Employ a methodical strategy to secure the best possible advocate for your cause. Remember, it’s not just about winning a case but ensuring your voice is heard and your interests safeguarded throughout the process.

 

Video: CNN Completely Botches Its Report on VA05 GOP Primary – Falsely Calls Rep. Bob Good (R-VA05)’s Opponent John McGuire (a Trump Cultist/Extremist/Insurrectionist, Endorsed by Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rudy Giuliani, etc.) “Center Right”

By
lowkell
-
9

See below for video of CNN’s “report” (in air quotes) this morning on the nasty VA05 Republican primary between far-right-extremist/theocrat/bigot Rep. Bob Good and challenger John McGuire, who is literally an insurrectionist and also far-right, plus a Trump/MAGA fanatic. Yet in its “report,” CNN fails to mention that McGuire is an insurrectionist and far-right extremist and even falsely claims Bob Good is being challenged from the “center right” (!!!).

The “center right”??? Is CNN acdtually arguing that Kevin McCarthy and his allies aren’t super conservative (definitely NOT “center-right”) themselves?  And again, more to the point – John McGuire is a Trump cultist (he was literally in the pro-Trump mob outside the US Capitol on 1/6/21) and about as far right as you can get (the comprehensive VAPLAN scorecard for the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session rated McGuire THE most right-wing member of the State Senate). For whatever bizarre reasons, CNN mentions none of that.  But wait, there’s more!  That’s right, CNN also almost completely misses the big story here, which is that McGuire’s primary against Good is, in large part, fueled by Trump  wanting to take out Good for “disloyalty,” specifically Good having endorsed Ron DeSantis for president over Trump.

In sum, CNN’s report is a really, really bad joke, the worst of political “journalism,” and a perfect case study in how the political “mainstream media” in this country is helping to put our democracy in grave danger.

P.S. Whoops, almost forgot to mention some of “center-right” McGuire’s endorsers: Rudy Giuliani (’nuff said), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (total nutjob/extremist), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (who was at the so-called “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall on 1/6/21), Rep. Ryan Zinke (Trump’s horrendously bad, corrupt, global-warming-denier Secretary of the Interior), etc. Also, although Trump hasn’t endorsed McGuire – yet! – Trump’s campaign manager Chris LaCivita recently stated that “Bob Good won’t be electable when we get done with him.” So yeah, Trump might as well have endorsed McGuire. Not that CNN’s “report” mentions any of this.

Trump, Youngkin, Miyares, Kiggans, Gilbert, Cao, etc. Rev Up the Bigotry (Against Transgender People) and Lies for Easter

By
lowkell
-
21

So…Glenn Youngkin is NOT outraged by the thought of a Trump dictatorship and the end of our democracy, but he IS outraged that Transgender Day of Visibility – which ALWAYS falls on 3/31…which randomly happens to fall on Easter this year. Also, note that they *know* what they’re saying is 100% false (see Reuters fact check, below), yet these anti-trans right wingnuts (e.g., VA House GOP Leader Todd Gilbert, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, AG Jason Miyares, Rep. Jen Kiggans, batsh**-crazy-extremist Hung Cao) still proceeded with  their dishonest posts – simply to rile up their “base” against transgender people, the Biden administration, Democrats, etc. Lovely people, huh?

Again, right wingers are pushing multiple, transphobic lies on this. In fact, the Transgender Day of Visibility “was created by trans advocate Rachel Crandall in 2010” and has been celebrated on March 31 since then. This year, March 31 just happens to be the date that Easter falls on – pure coincidence. Not that there’s anything wrong, by the way, with having this day fall on the same day as Easter – what’s the problem exactly? Are these the values espoused in the Gospels?

Obviously, Youngkin et al have no serious, good-faith response to this question.

Youngkin doesn’t condemn Trump’s psychopathic behavior, but DOES get “outraged” about a classic Republican false/flood-the-zone-with-bullshit-and-bigotry coordinated messaging campaign.

Virginia AG Miyares goes for lies and anti -trans bigotry this Easter season. Lovely, huh?

98a385130e1b6ff258ef02f584011b30634d8956c4463d59143a28081f65cbb1.jpg (1080×2220)

Easter Sunday News: “We Need to Talk About This” – Trump Engages in “stochastic terrorism”; “Trump, Blasphemous Bible Thumper”; “MAGA’s Ugly, Hateful Response to Bridge Horror Is About to Get Worse”; “Youngkin’s arena flop is hardly a loss for VA”

By
lowkell
-
13

by Lowell

Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and others, for Easter Sunday, March 31.

4 Negative Effects of Not Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

By
Blue Virginia
-
15

SPONSORED CONTENT

4 Negative Effects of Not Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

It is almost indispensable to hire a car accident lawyer if you want the best outcome for your case. Insurance firms and adjusters deploy various manipulative tactics to shortchange injured people. Hence, dealing with insurers after a vehicle accident is daunting. 

Passionate and skilled car accident lawyers know the complexities of the tactics insurers deploy to undervalue claims. 

This piece explains the detrimental effects of not hiring a car accident attorney for your accident case:

Inability to Comprehend the Insurance Firm’s Strategy

Insurance firms have special units for dealing with cases with unrepresented people. The primary role of these units is to convince injured claimants against hiring a car accident attorney and instead settle for an intangible “Convenience Fee” settlement. 

Of course, they will not inform the claimants that the settlement is far lower than a skilled lawyer could secure. It is a manipulative and “smart” move to maximize profit. Since most claimants do not understand insurers’ strategies, they will ignorantly accept the offer. 

Falling for Manipulative Strategy

Insurance adjusters know the different tricks they use in convincing claimants. They use despicable strategies to diminish the value of people’s claims. For instance, they may dispute liability or downplay an injury. Sometimes, they use past medical history against claimants. 

You may ignorantly settle for a fraction of what you deserve without a skilled attorney to counter their moves. Of course, you may laud the “simplicity of the process,” but you do not know how much you lose. 

“If an adjuster is pressuring you into accepting an offer using your supposed strong points against you, you should know something is wrong somewhere. If you fall for it, you have traded your inheritance.”

Inability to Identify the Total Value of a Claim

Car accident lawyers have the know-how to evaluate the total value of a claim accurately. They know everything to take into cognizance while doing the valuation. Apart from the immediate medical costs, they also consider future medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost wages. 

They purposely adopt this comprehensive approach to ensure you receive a just and fair settlement. If you leave your fate to insurance adjusters, they will never bother to consider future medical expenses and emotional trauma. Remember that once you accept a settlement, you cannot come back to ask for more in the near future. 

You Might Make Costly Mistakes

The ultimate aim of every insurance firm is for their claimants to fail. They want you to make costly mistakes that will affect you unimaginably. There is a high probability that you will make such mistakes without legal representation. 

Such mistakes include missed deadlines, improper communication, and documentation errors. These mistakes can cause unimaginable financial losses. 

You Have NOTHING to Fear

The reason why most car accident victims run away from hiring a lawyer is due to their “heavy charges.” Many assume lawyers will take a considerable share of their settlement or, better still, charge them heavily even if they lose the case. There is nothing far from the truth. 

Most law firms work on a contingency fee basis to make high-quality legal representation available to all and sundry. It means you do not pay any upfront charges. You will only pay your lawyer after they have successfully helped you recover compensation. 

With this system, you need not bother about the financial implications of your case. 

Conclusion

“If you or your loved one has sustained an injury in a vehicle accident, do not allow insurers to manipulate you. Speak with local car accident lawyers for free consultation to know the best way forward.” says Attorney Arthur L. Schechter of Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP – Accident & Injury Attorneys. 

Hiring the appropriate car accident attorney will protect your rights and help you get the maximum compensation. Hence, do not suffer in silence while insurance firms play on your intelligence!

 

1...919293...3,299Page 92 of 3,299












EVEN MORE NEWS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©